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Protecting Trees During Construction

Whether it is new home construction or an extensive renovation, minimizing the impact on the surrounding landscape takes careful planning and commitment from both homeowners and contractors working at the site. Experienced builders are becoming increasingly sensitive to preservation of the natural beauty of a home site and many have perfected methods to minimize construction damage to trees, shrubs & other vegetation.

An Educated Consumer
As with most significant changes in industry, the move towards preserving natural beauty during construction is consumer driven. Most homeowners are very much aware of the positive effect that mature trees & shady areas have on their quality of life . . . not to mention property values. In new housing, buyers are increasingly requesting that their homes be positioned to take advantage of rock outcroppings & mature tree specimens. They are disenchanted with developments that offer dozens of homes scattered on a barren landscape, with just a couple of forlorn trees left standing strangely out of place.

It is no coincidence that home sites that border wooded areas are most sought after. During renovations & foundation work, there are often many landscape considerations. Often times trees & shrubs are planted near a home when it is built and they grow to be a perfect compliment to the structure. When that structure is expanded, it takes a talented builder and committed homeowner to retain the services of an experienced tree mover for relocation of living specimens.

It’s All in the Planning
In new construction, builders will typically develop a topographic map to show land grades, slopes, streams & areas of large rock. Homeowners can request that builders include the location of specimen trees, wooded areas & rock outcroppings on these maps, allowing for optimal placement of the home in relation to the natural beauty of the property. Dwight Mossman of Hobbs, Inc., a builder of distinctive homes in the northeast, recommends including trees greater than six inches in diameter on the topographic map. He also includes the species of the trees involved in order to maintain maximum outdoor visual appeal during all seasons. “My clients pay the same attention to outdoor details as they pay to indoor specifics,” Mossman explained, “They place a high value on landscapes that include mature trees since trees provide natural cooling & a buffer to the wind. My clients understand that specimen trees cannot be replaced and should be taken care of during construction. Careful mapping & injury prevention provides an enhanced product.”

Site management plans can include specifics on traffic flow & parking to minimize the impact of vehicles on the environment. In addition, construction fencing should be placed at the dripline of the tree, anchored as far from the trunk as possible. Visualize the tree as if the canopy were an umbrella- the drip line is where the water droplets would fall to the ground. According to Mossman, “Cabling & bracing may be needed when the stability of a large tree is compromised. It improves the tree’s chance of survival.”

Sources & Symptoms
When tree roots are removed or damaged, or fill is placed on the soil surface, trees may show decline symptoms within a few months. Trees on construction sites are injured by:

Lowering of groundwater

Compaction of soil

Removal of top soil

Loss or damage to roots

Damage to trunk & leaf crown.

Symptoms include small or off-color leaves, premature fall color, extensive water sprout development on the trunk & main limbs, dead twigs and eventually dead branches.

Naturally, the best way to protect trees on a construction site is to prevent, or at least minimize any changes that may cause injury. Trees that have been injured are best treated by first stabilizing their environment. Next, deliver the appropriate amount of moisture & avoid additional stress factors caused by insects & disease with an accredited plant health care program. Follow up with maintenance pruning, cabling, bracing & the implementation of a nutrient program designed to recolonize the soil with beneficial mycorrhizae and provide the nutrients required for healthy growth.

When homeowners & builders are committed to preserving natural beauty, they can work together to minimize the impact of construction & renovation, creating a home to be enjoyed both inside & out.

"Speaking as Mayor of Briarcliff Manor, SavATree has contributed time to help protect some Hemlocks in our Law Park, which is really the showplace of our Village. They have also provided advice for the care of some of our sensitive park trees) i.e. a stand of Japanese Black Pine in a park jutting out in the Hudson River), and care of damaged trees along some of our roads. I wanted to bring this to your attention and thank SavATree for their efforts and contribution to improving the quality of life in our village. The Friends of Rockwood Park, the Rockefeller State Park and the public are indebted to SavATree for the time and effort it has contributed to rescuing these beautiful, valuable and very special trees."

Keith Austin

Briarcliff Manor, NY

"I have been very happy with SavATree's services. In particular, their Arbor Patrol program gives me peace of mind knowing that someone is regularly scouting for insect, disease and structural issues before they accelerate and threaten the health of our trees and plantings."

Steve Wirth

Skillman, NJ

"SavATree's crosscut sawing activity at Historic Hudson Valley's River Day festival at Van Cortlandt Manor was a wonderful addition to the event and a huge hit with our visitors. As always, your staff did a superb job- the skill with which they interact with the public is just extraordinary. All of us at Historic Hudson Valley are most grateful for SavATree's partnership, both as a steward of our historic landscape and as a presenter of dynamic programs that enliven our special events."

Wadell W. Stillman

Historic Hudson Valley, NY

"What touched me were the cooperative spirit and the energy and enthusiasm of the people at SavATree. There are so many institutions that are worthy of some kind of an altruistic spirit, and for our school to be selected for an Arbor Day activity is an honor. More then that, Steve Skyer and the people he works with spent a whole day with us. SavATree went out on a limb to plant and root a future for our school."

Doug Fleming

New Rochelle, NY

"Let me say that Vassar's association with SavATree has been very positive and we are achieving great success in managing our campus trees in terms of safety and aesthetics. And our insurance carrier is quite pleased with this effort. Vassar is pleased with SavATree and the work being performed on campus."

Jeffrey C. Horst, Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY

"The Pleasantville Country Club has had the benefit of SavATree's tree care services for more than ten years. Our experience with SavATree has been a very good one. We have found the staff to be very knowledgeable in all aspects of tree and shrub care. Equally impressive has been the reliability and enthusiasm of the staff members we have dealt with through the years."

Joe Potenza

Pleasantville Country Club Corporation, Inc.

Pleasantville, NY

It is with pleasure that I can comment on the work done recently by your great work crew. As they are representatives of your company, you are very fortunate to have such a polite, professional, and exceptionally safe work crew. Work conditions don't allow for conversation, and in spite of that, they were able to communicate via hand and eye signals that enabled them to work in a highly efficient manner. Their appearance, manners and excellent equipment, make for a winning combination.